Automatic motion picture machine



Aug. 10, 1943. w ETAL Re. 22,363

AUTOMATIC MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 27, 1939 sSheets-Sheet 1 79 ll 0 I d V lNl-'ENTORS A TTORNEYS.

1943- A. w. MILLER ET AL Re. 22,363

AUTOMATIC MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 27, 1939 6Sheets-Sheet 2 .LJLMQMahOmN-VENTORS ATTORNEYS.

1943- A. w. MILLER ET AL Re. 22,363

AUTOMATIC MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Grip-anal Fi'lefl Nov. 27, 1939 6Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TORS A TTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1943. A, w. MILLER ET AL22,363

AUTOMATIC MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Ori inal Filed Nov. 27, 1939 6Sheets-Sheet 4 51111 5 A.WMZZZP .LIZMcMa/wvz INVENTORS 77 O y s I o A 6l4 q ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 10, 1943. A, w. MILLER ETAL 22,363

AUTOMATIC MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 2'7, 1939 6Sheets-Sheet 5 r' .LJIJICMahOn INVENTORS A TTORNEYS.

1943- A. w. MILLER ETAL Re. 22,363

AUTOMATIC MOTIQN PICTURE MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 2'7, 1929 6Sheets-Sheet 6 A. WM J ZMCMQ/wILINI ENTORS ATTORNEYS.

Reis'sued Aug. 10, 19 43- 22,363 I AUTOMATIC MOTION rro'ruaa MACHINEArthur -W. Miller, Albany, and John H. McMahon, El Cerrito, Calif.

Original'No. 2,239,241, dated April 22, 1941, Serial No. 306,386,November 27, 1939. Application for reissue September 6, 1941, Serial No.

14 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic coinoperatecl motion pictureprojecting apparatus,

the primary object of the invention being to im- I prove generally themechanisms as set forth in our-pending application, Serial No. 171,236filed October 27, 1937 and which has become U. S. Patent No. 2,180,638,dated November 21, 1939, and our application Serial No..183,1l filedJanuary 3, 1938, which has become U. S. Patent No. 2,180,639, datedNovember 21, 1939, which applications cover the coin-controlledmechanism omitted in the present"application.

An important object of the present invention is to provide means forfeeding the film strip before the projector opening of the machine, byfrictional contact with the film strip, eliminating the use of the wellknown film feed wherein a sprocket cooperates with lines of openingsformed along the edges of the film strip to feed the film strip beforethe projector.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby aselected film strip may be brought into operative position before theprojector, and held in such position for a predetermined period topermit the film to be run off.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a movable lamphousing together with means for moving the lamp housing into and out ofoperation, with each movement of the apparatus to change the film stripbeing displayed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the, invention herein described, may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings:

*Figure 1 is an elevational view of one section of therotor. showingthe-section as moved before the projector. I

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through one of the film 'reelsupporting housings and operating means for operating the filfn.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the rotor and illustrating one of thefilm housings as moved to its active or operative position.

Figure. 4 is an enlarged elevational view illustrating a reel assupported in a reel housing.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken through the reel as shown by Figure4.

Figure 6 is a view illustrating the film feed pulley, illustrating theopenings therein, through which the light rays are projected.

Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating one film reels as mounted within areel housing.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through the reel housing and reel supportedtherein.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view through the film strip mechanism.I

Figure 10 is a sectional view through the guide plates between which thefilm is fed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the device comprises a stator and arotor, the stator being indicated generally by the reference character,5.

The stator embodies a supporting bar 6 and a rectangular supporting.frame 1 adapted for mounting in a suitable cabinet not shown.

Mounted on the upper bar of the frame ,1, is the motor 8, the shaftthereof being provided with a pinion 9 that meshes with the teeth of thesegmental gear i0 mounted on the shaft II to move therewith.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft II to move therewith, is acurvedarm l2 which is provided with a roller H! at its free end.

The reference character It designates an arm which rises from the shaftI5 that in turn is mounted in the bearing l6 carried by the stator.

The arm It provides the support for the lamp housing or projector I!which is adapted to swing with the arm I4, for purposes to behereinafter more fully described.

Mounted on the support I8 forming a part of the stator, is an electricmotor IS, the motor shaft 20 thereof being supplied with the worm gear2| that meshes with the gear 22 that is also mounted on the support 18.which the gear 22 is mounted, also provides a support for the sprocket24 over which the chain 25 operates, the chain 25 also operating overthe sprocket 26 mounted on a shaft carried by the arm 21 that forms apart of the stator.

Formed at the upper end of the arm 21 is a bearing 28 through which theshaft 29 extends,

the shaft 29 carrying the clutch face 30 at one.

of its ends. 'Mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 29 is abeveledpinion ll that meshes with the beveled pinion 32 carried at the upperend of the flexible shaft 33, the upper end of the flexible shaft 33being mounted in a bearingformed in the U-shaped bearing support 34.

The. lower end of the flexible shaft 33 is shown as connected with theshaft 35 that carries the pinion 38 at one end thereof, the pinion 36meshof the The shaft 23 on.

ing with .the pinion 31 mounted on the shaft 38 that carries the pulley33 adjacent to its inner end, the pulley 39 being rotated by means orthe belt 40 operating over the pulley 4| which is mounted on the outerend of the motor shaft 42, and which is operated by the motor 43. Thusit will be seen that when the motor 43 is operating, the pulley 39 isrotated which in turn transmits movement to the flexible shaft 33 andshaft 29.

The pulley-39 is mounted within the housing 44 which is formed withaligning projector openings 45 with which the projector tube 46 alignsin projecting light rays onto the film,to be hereinafter more fullydescribed. 1 l 1 An arm indicated at 41 extends upwardly from the'lamphousing or projector l1, and connects with the link 48, that ha one endthereof connected with the chain 25. Thus it will be seen that as thesprocket 22 is rotated, and the chain 25 is moved over the sprockets 24and 28, thelamp housing or projector II will be moved from the dottedline position shown by Figure 1 of the drawings, to the position shownin full line in Figure 1 of the drawings, or vice versa.

The pulley 33 is formed with elongated arcuate-shaped openings 49 thatalign with the pro- Jector openings 45 at predetermined intervals,

to allow light rays from the projector to be pro- ,lected through thehousing 44 and onto the film' strip passing through the film guides,forming a part or the rotor, to be hereinafter more fully described.

n the inner end of the shaft 38 is a wheel 55 formed with a cam groovein the periphery thereof. Pivotally mounted, adjacent to the wheel 50,is a film strip feed arm-52 which is provided with a headed finger 53arranged to move in the cam groove 5|. The opposite end of the arm 52 isprovided with a roller 54 adapted to move over the film strip operatingthrough the machine, and which in the present showing is indicated at A.

The rotor forming a part of the apparatus, is mounted on the shaft 55that has its ends journalled in the bearings 56 mounted on thesupporting frame. The rotor comprises a hub section 51 from which thearms 58 radiate. These arms 58 are substantially long, and are held inspaced relation with respect to each other, by means of the bars 59,which are bolted to adjacent arms. 58.

The arms 58 are formed with bearing openings at their ends, for thereception of the shafts ill, each shaft providing a support for a motionpicture reel housing, indicated at El. The inner end wall of each motionpicture reel housing 6| is formed with a slot for the reception of thepivoted latch member 62, the latch members being supported with respectto'tlie ends of the housings 6|, that one 01' the respective edgesthereof extends beyond the end walls or the housings. A finger indicatedat 63 extends from each latch member and is adapted to engage the bar 59associated therewith, normally holding the motion picture reel housings6|, in their inactive positions. In operation, the arms I! swinginwardly, the rollers l3 thereof engaging the latch members, moving thelatch members inwardly to cause the fingers thereof to disengage thebars 59, releasing the motion picture reel housings so .that they mayswing to their active positions.

bers are forced inwardly by the rollers l3, the

motion picture housing associated therewith, is

moved upwardly to its vertical or active position. Pivotally mountedwithin each motion picture reel housing. is a reel 54 on which a filmstrip is wound. The film strip which is indicated at A, Inoves betweenthe-guide rollers 55 mounted on opposite sides of the reel, the rollersbeing spaced apart so that they will contact the edges or the film stripbeing wound or unwound from the reel, holding the film strip in properposition. Pins extend upwardly from the shaft of the rollers 65, andextend into the sockets formed at the ends of the retainer 66 that isfitted over the film strip, to prevent the film strip from niovingupwardly between the rollers. It will of course be understood that thefilm strip unwinds from the central or hub portion of the reel, andrewound on the reel at the periphery thereof.

The projector opening formed in each reel housing, is arranged so thatwhen the reel housing is moved to its active position, the projectoropening will align with the projector openings or the housing 44,forming a part of the stator.

Pairs of guide plates indicated at 51 and 68 are arranged on oppositesides of the projector opening of each housing 6|, the plates of eachpair being adjusted with respect to each other, by means of the setscrews 69. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, thefrictional contact between the guide plates and film strip A movingtherethrough, may be regulated.

As clearly shown by Figure 9 oi the drawings, the innermost plate of thelower pair or guide plates is substantially long, and provided with apin 10 adapted to be extended into an opening formed in the film strippassing between the guide plates. The openings of the film strip arearranged in predetermined spaced relation with respect to each other, orthe distance between the Pictures on the film strip, so that thepictures will be accurately framed within the projector opening.

Arranged directly under the pairs of guide plates 51 and 58, are guideplates H, the friction between the guide plates being regulated by theset screw 12. The film strip in passing through the machine, movesthrough the guide plates 51, 68 and H, the guide plates 1i being spacedan appreciable distance from the guide plates 68, providing a space forthe roller 54 carried at the upper end of the feed arm 52, to engage thefilm strip. The tensionor frictional contactbetween the guide plates His greater than the frictional contact between the guide plates 68, withthe result that when the feed arm 52 is moved inwardly to its full lineposition as shown by Figure 9 of the drawings, the film strip will bemoved downwardly and fed through the machine. As the film strip passesthrough the guide plates II, the film strip moves over the pulley 13mounted at the free end of the arm Due to the fact that the latch member62 operates through slots in the lower ends of the housings 6|, it willbe seen that when the latch mem- 14 that is pivotally mounted within thehousing 5|, there being provided a set screw 15 for holding the arm 14in various positions or adjustment, to further tension the film strip.From the pulley 13, the film strip moves upwardly over the pulley l8 andis formed into a loop indicated at 11, from where the film strip passesover the pulley II and onto the reel.

It might be further stated that. ribs 19 are formed on the innersurfaces of the spool 6| on which the film strip is wound, the ribsbeing of thicknesses so that the edges of the film strip will contacttherewith without danger of binding. It will be seen that due to thisconstruction, friction between the film strip and side members of thespool is reduced to a minimum, to insure the operation of the device.

when the projector and a reel housing have been moved to their activepositions, light rays will be projected onto the film strip andreflected upwardly by the reflector II where the pictures will beprojected upwardly onto the screen 82 where they may be viewed by theperson using the machine. 4

The means for operating the shaft 2! and clutch Ill, comprises a lever84 to which the core I! of the solenoid 84 is connected. Thus it will beseen that when the solenoid B6 is energized, the core will be drawn intothe winding of the solenoid, moving the lever 84 and projecting theshaft 29 causing the clutch face 30thereof to engage the clutch face 81,mounted on the shaft 88, on which the film reel or spool is mounted torotate therewith.

. It might be further stated that the hub section 51 is provided withteeth that mesh with the teeth of the pinion 88 mounted on one end ofthe motor shaft 90 which is operated by the selecting mechanism of themachine not shown. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction,when the pinion I9 is rotated, the hub 51 will be rotated on the shaft55, moving the selected picture reel housing, togetherwith the picturestrip carried thereby, into registry with the projector openings of themachine so that light rays projected through the openings, will bedirected to the film strip, displaying the film strip on the screen ofthe machine.

In the operation of the apparatus, the selecting means illustrated inour pending application hereinbefore mentioned, is operated. The motor 8is set into operation, which motor operates the pinion 9 meshing withthe segmental gear I0.

The segmental gear operates the arm II which carries the roller l3 andwhich moves against the latch member of the picture strip projectingunit moved adjacent thereto. As the roller engages the latch member, thelatch member is moved inwardly releasing the picture strip projectingunit. Upon further movement of th arm l2, the picture strip projectingunit is moved from 5 the dotted line position shown by Figure 2 of thedrawings, to the fulll line position as shown-by Figure 2. With thepicture strip projecting unit in this position, it is ready fordisplaying the picture strip which is mounted on the reel of the picturestrip projecting unit.

The clutch member 29 is now moved into engagement with the clutch member81 with the result that the reel 64 is rotated to cause the pcture stripthereon to be fed from the reel. As the picture strip moves before theprojector opening, the feed arm 52 contacting with the film strip causesthe film strip to be intermittently fed before the projector openingbetween the lamp housing and screen. Because the pulley 39 is providedwith elongated openin 49, th ley will act as a shutter, allowing lightrays to be projected onto the picture strip intermittent- 1y, or at atime when a picture of the strip is exactly framed within the projectoropening.

ill)

It might be further stated that as the film strip moves past theprojector opening, it is returned to the reel, and rewound thereon forfurther use.

What is claimed is:

1. In a motion picture machine, a frame, a picture screen supported onthe frame. a stator and rotor mounted on the frame in front of saidpicture screen, a movable arm forming a part of the stator, a projectorhousing secured to the free end of the movable arm, radiatingarmsmounted on the rotor, independently operable picture-projecting units atthe free ends of the radiating arms, means for selectively moving thearms and picture-projecting units into operative projecting relationwith respect to the screen, and means for moving said movable arm andprojector housing into projecting relation with respect to thepicture-projecting units and screen.

2. Ina motion picture machine, a frame, a picture screen supported onthe frame, a stator and rotor mounted on the frame directly in front ofthe picture screen, a movable arm mounted on the stator, a projectorhousing on the free end of said arm, means for moving th arm andprojector housing into projecting relation with the screen, a pluralityof picture-projecting units mounted upon and forming a part of therotor, and means for swinging said picture-projecting units selectivelyinto projecting relation between the projector housing and screen.

3. In a motionpicture machine, a frame, a picture screen supported onthe frame, a stator and rotor mounted on the frame, a projecting mediumon the stator, a plurality of pictureprojecting units mounted on therotor and adapted to move between the projecting mediumandscreen todirect light rays onto the screen, means for moving said projectingunits selectively into operative projecting relation, each of said unitsembodying a picture strip, spaced pairs of guides through which thepicture strip moves, said guides frictionally engaging said picturestrip, restricting movement of the picture strip through the guides, apivoted arm mounted on the frame and adapted to move into engagementwith the picture strip between the guides forcing the strip inwardly andpulling the picture strip through one of the guides, feeding the stripthrough the machine.

4. In a motion picture projecting machine, a

frame, a stator and rotor mounted on the frame,

Ill

a picture screen mounted on the frame, a pivoted' lamp housing forming apart of the stator and adapted to, direct light rays onto the screen.independently operable picture-projecting units forming a part of therotor and adapted to move between the picture screen and lamp housingwhereby light rays may pass through the projecting units onto th screen,means for moving said projecting units into operative projectingrelation, each picture unit including a picture strip, tween which saidpicture strip moves, said guides adapted-to frictionally grip thepicture strip, means for pressing the picture strip in wardly at a pointbetween the guides, one of said guides adapted to grip the picture stripwith greater pressure than the adjacent guide whereby the picture stripis fed through the machine in-one direction.

5. In a motion picture projecting machine, a frame, a lamp housinghaving a projecting opening, mounted on the frame, a stator and; a rotoron said frame, a plurality of picture strip proupper and lower guidesbejecting units, having projecting openings, mounted on the rotor, andadapted to move into operative relation with the lamp housing, means formoving said projecting units selectively into operative projectingposition, a picture strip movable through each projecting unit, meansfor feeding the strip between the lamp housing and picture projectingopening of the picture strip projecting -units displaying a picture,said picture'strip' moving means embodying upper and lower guidesthrough which the picture strip moves, the lower guides adapted togripand hold the picture strip moving therethrough, under a predeterminedpull directed to the picture strip, and a pivoted arm adapted tointermittently exert a pressure on the picture strip between the upperand lower guides, whereby the picture strip is moved in one direction.

6. In a motion picture projecting machine, a frame, a stator and rotormounted on said frame, a picture screen mounted on the frame, a pivotedlamp housing having a projecting opening, mounted on the frame andadapted to move into alignment with the picture'screen so as to directlight rays onto the screen, a plurality of picture-projecting unitshaving projecting openings and mounted on said rotor, adapted to movebetween the pivoted lamp housing and screen,

means for moving said projector units selectively into operativeprojecting position and comprising picture strips operating within thepictureprojecting units, means, for moving the picture strips before theprojecting openings of the lamp housing and projecting unit, a pivotedlatch member carried by each projecting unit and adapted to normallyhold the picture-projecting unit in its inactive position, and meansincluding a pivoted arm mounted on the frame, adapted to release thelatch member and the pictureprojecting unit and said pivoted arm adaptedto swing the projecting'unit to its operative position before the lamphousing.

7. In a motion picture projecting machine, a

frame, a lamp housing mounted on the frame, a

rotary member embodying a plurality of radiat-- ing arms, mounted on theframe, a projectingunit pivotally mounted at the outer end of each arm,means for movingsaid projecting units selectively into operativeprojecting position, latch members normally holding thepicture-projecting units in their inactive positions, a curved armmounted on the rotor and adapted to engage the latch members of thepicture-projecting unit as the picture-projecting units are moved totheir operative projecting positions before the lamp housing, releasingsaid latch members, and said arms adapted to swing upwardly moving thepicture-projecting units to their projecting positions before the lamphousing.

8. In a motion picture projecting machine, a,

supporting frame, a stator and a'rotor mounted on said-frame, a lamphousing pivotally mounted on the frame, a pulley housingmounted on theframe and having aligning openings in oppositeside walls thereof, meansfor moving the lamp housing to a position before the pulley housingwhereby light rays from the lamp housing will be directed therethrough,picture-projecting units mounted on the rotor and havingpictureprojecting openings, meansffor moving the picture-projectingunits before the openings of the pulley housing, a picture strip carriedby each picture-projecting unitif means for Tnioving the picture stripsof a projectingunit the projecting openings thereof, said meanscomprising cases a pulley having openings aligning with the openings ofthe pulley housing, whereby light rays will intermittently pass throughthe pulley housing and picture-projecting unit held in front of thepulley housing displaying a picture, when the pulley rotates.

9. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projectingapparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by abeam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressionsrecorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulatingmechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endlessroll of film and each provided with a light gate in a wall thereof pastwhich said film may be moved, film moving means carried by each magazineand adapted when actuated to drawthe film from said roll, move the samepast said gate and rewind the same on said roll, carriage operatingmeans adapted to move said carriage and to stop the same with the gateof one of said magazines in the path of said beam of light from saidsource, a movable member, actuating means for said film moving meanscarried by said member, and means for moving said member to engage saidactuating means with the film moving means of the magazine so placed andto disengage the same to permit movement of the magazine carriage.

10. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projectingapparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by abeam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressionsrecorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulatingmechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endlessroll or film andeach provided with a light gate in a wall thereof pastwhich said film may be moved, film engaging members within each magazineadapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the samepast said gate and return the same to said roll,-a magazine carriageupon which saidmagazines are mounted, carriage operating means adapted"to move said carriage and to stop the same with the gate of one of saidmagazines in the path of said beam of light from said source, means forby a beamof light from said source for reproducing sensible impressionsrecorded one, film intercepting said beam, said film manipulatingmechanism including a magazine carriage, a: plurality of self-containedfilm magazine units detachably mounted on said carriage, each of saidunits being provided with means vfor storing a film therein, a lightgate and film driving means adapted to move said film past saidlightgate wholly within said magazine unit, carriage operating means adaptedto move said carriage to place the light gate of any one of saidmagazine units in the path of said beam of light from said light source,a movable member, actuating means for said mm driving means carried bysaid member, and means for moving said member to engage said actuatingmeans with the film driving means of the magazine unit so placed and todis-engage the same to permit movement or the 12. In a photographicapparatus for selectively reproducing any one of several programs, the

movable magazine carriage adapted to support a plurality oi filmmagazine units each provided with a film gate and having a filmmovingmeans ior moving a film strip through said gate, and a carriageoperating means operatively connected to said carriage and for movingtheme to position one of said magazine units in said light beam, or amovable member, actuating means carried by said movable member andadapted to engage and operate the film moving means of a film magazineunit which is in juxtaposition to said light beam, and solenoidoperating means actuating said movable member and for moving saidactuating means into engagement with the film moving means of saidjuxtaposed film magazine unit.

13. In a photographic apparatus for selectively reproducing any one ofseveral programs, the combination with an illuminating and opticalsystem for directing a light beam onto a film strip for reproduction ofa record thereon, a movable magazine carriage adapted to support aplurality of film magazine units each provided with a film gate andhaving a film moving means for moving a film strip through said gate,and a carriage operating means operatively connected to said carriageand for moving the same to position one of said magazine units in saidlight beam, 01' a movable member, actuating means carried by saidmovable member and adapted to engage and operate the film moving meansof a film magazine unit which is in juxtaposition to said light beam, asecond actuating means for moving said movable member to engage thefirst mentioned actuating means with the film moving meansot saidiuxtaposed film magazine unit. and a film advancing means independent orsaid second actuating means and for intermittently entering said filmmagazine unit intermittently to move the film strip past the film gatethereon.

14. In a photographic apparatus for selectively reproducing any one 0!several programs, the combination with an illuminating and opticalsystem for directing alight beam onto a film strip for reproduction of arecord thereon, a plurality or film magazine units each containing anendless roll of film and each having a film gate in a wall thereof pastwhich said film may be moved, film moving means carried by each magazineand adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the samepast said gate and rewind the same on said roll, and a magazine carriageupon which said magazines are mounted, or carriage operating meansadapted to move said carriage and to stop the same with the gate of oneof said magazines in the path of said light beam, a movable member,actuating means for said film moving means and carried by said movablemember, a second actuating means for moving said movable member toengage the first mentioned actuating means with the film moving means ofthe magazine unit so placed, and a film advancing means independent ofsaid second actuating means and for intermittently entering said filmmagazine unit to move the film intermittently past said gate.

ARTHUR W. MILIER. JOHN H. McMAHON.

